PRESCHOOL/KINDER Date:__________________
This resource is designed to allow your family to have time in God’s Word BEFORE your children attend church. Because God’s plan is for parents to be the primary spiritual nurturers of their children’s faith, we want YOU to be the one to introduce this part of The Big God Story to them.
Summer Lesson 6
DID YOU KNOW?
Feast of Tabernacles: A Festival Celebrating God’s Abundant Blessings
• There are seven festivals that were celebrated by the Israelite people: Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Festival of First Fruits, Feast of Harvest, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths). • During the feasts, the Israelites ate, danced, sang, played instruments, prayed, and offered sacrifices to God. • The Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated in the spirit of thanksgiving, a day to remember God’s many blessings for those who love Him. • During the Feast of Tabernacles, the Israelites would construct temporary shelters (“booths”) of branches and leaves where they would stay for seven days. This was a way of remembering the fragile dwellings the people lived in during the Exodus. Because of this, the feast is sometimes called the Feast of Booths.
JUST FOR FUN
TEACHABLE MOMENTS
Create a festive family dinner table using paper goods, balloons, or other decorations. Once your family is seated at the table, read Psalm 65.
After reading the Scripture passage, discuss the following together: • What are some of the ways God has blessed our family? • Remind your child that everything we have in this life is a gift from God. • Pray together, praising and thanking God for the many blessings He has bestowed on your family.
HomeFront Magazine: A Spiritual Parenting Resource is a monthly magazine that gives your family ideas for creating fun, spiritually forming times in your home—setting aside sacred space in the midst of your active, everyday lives. Visit www.HomeFrontMag.com to subscribe to the print edition or to have a digital copy sent directly to your inbox.
REMEMBER & CELEBRATE
DEVELOPMENT Your child is able to remember stories and repeat them. Ask him to remember one of the parts of The Big God Story he has heard in church. Have him “teach” the story to you based on what he remembers.
BLESSING A blessing can be a spoken prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words of encouragement and guidance over your child. For more information about blessing your child, see the Blessing section in HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource @ HomeFrontMag.com. A blessing to pray over your child: (Child’s name), may you remember the many ways God cares for you and blesses you. This week, may you look for ways to show His love to others.
© 2016 David C Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.